During 2014, the El Paso community joined UTEP in a year-long celebration of our 100th anniversary, underscoring the central role that the university has played in bringing educational, economic, cultural enrichment, and improved quality-of-life opportunities to the residents of this region.

Now, as we conclude UTEP's Centennial Celebration and enter our second century of ever higher aspirations, I reiterate on behalf of the faculty, staff and students at UTEP our deep appreciation to all El Pasoans for your sustained commitment to the university and our dramatic transformation over the past 100 years.

The foundational partnerships that we have built together have helped shape UTEP's highly exciting growth and success.

Our focus on a mission of access and excellence has been an essential pillar of UTEP's effectiveness. With an unwavering commitment to both accessibility and quality over the past quarter of a century, UTEP has emerged on the national stage as a model for 21st century higher education.